Mayor's Award for Community Excellence honors what we truly value at the City of Las Vegas... serving others

At the city of Las Vegas we truly value the community; in fact, the reason our jobs exist is to serve the community! Our motto is "Building Community to Make Life Better."

Serving the community isn't just a kind gesture, it is a vital part of building a healthier, more connected resilient society. It is what I love about working in Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs; we are here to facilitate opportunities for the public to come together in celebration, sport, learning and camaraderie.

Each year in April, the city of Las Vegas hosts the Employee Values Conference where we take time out thank all of our city workers for what they do and to continue empowering and motivating fellow colleagues to do the same. At this year's Value Conference, I was honored by being nominated for the Mayor's Award for Community Excellence.

Mayor Shelley Berkley presents the nominees for the 2025 Mayor's Award for Community Excellence at the City of Las Vegas Values Conference on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Photo Credit: Kim Cochrane

I didn't win, but it is true what they say... It is an HONOR to be nominated. My supervisors and Department Director nominated me for being a steward of Floyd Lamb Park, promoting environmental education and sustainability by engaging community partners (Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz), and for aiding in the effort to preserve the historical legacies of the park (Peafowl Preservation Program and writing the winning award submission for the NRPS Silver State Legacy Park Award).

Why Serve the Community?

1. Strengthens Social Bonds

Volunteering or contributing to community initiatives fosters real human connection. Whether it’s helping at a food bank, participating in local clean-up drives, or mentoring youth, these shared experiences bring people together. They help bridge divides, encourage empathy, and create a sense of unity that transcends differences in background or belief.

2. Addresses Local Needs

No one understands a community’s challenges better than its residents. When people step up to serve, they can address real, immediate needs—be it hunger, homelessness, education gaps, or environmental issues. Local action creates tangible change, often much faster and more effectively than top-down efforts.

3. Empowers Individuals and Inspires Leadership

Serving the community empowers people to make a difference. It turns passive observers into active participants, and often transforms volunteers into leaders. These grassroots leaders become role models, proving that everyday people can shape the future of their neighborhoods and cities.

4. Boosts Mental and Emotional Well-being

Studies show that giving back has powerful psychological benefits. It reduces stress, combats depression, and boosts overall life satisfaction. When we help others, we gain perspective on our own lives, develop gratitude, and experience a deeper sense of purpose.

5. Creates a Legacy of Caring

Community service isn’t just about the present—it shapes the future. Children and young adults who see service in action are more likely to grow into compassionate, socially aware adults. By investing time and energy into our communities now, we’re planting seeds for a more just and caring world.

How to Start Serving:

You don’t need to launch a nonprofit or dedicate every weekend to volunteer work. Serving the community starts with small, consistent actions:

• Help an elderly person or neighbor in need with errands.

• Participate in ride shares with other parents

• Support local businesses, artisans and farmers markets

• Donate unused items to shelters or people in need.

• Participate in school or community board meetings.

• Offer your skills to local non-profit organizations.

  
  

Serving the community isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about showing up. It’s about recognizing that our well-being is tied to the well-being of those around us. In times of uncertainty, giving back not only helps others, it grounds us in what truly matters. It is about building community to make life better for everyone.

So let’s make service a habit, not just a motto. Because when communities thrive, we all thrive.

Some of my proudest accomplishments while working for the city of Las Vegas include educating the public about our native plants and pollinators as well as preserving the historic legacies of Floyd Lamb Park. Earning this nomination was just the icing on the cake! Photo Credit: Kim Cochrane